THE FRESH BEARS ON BLUES, BROTHERHOOD AND DEBUT ALBUM POVERTY SOUL & Exclusive interview
Emerging into the alt-rock scene, The Fresh Bears bring a fresh, new sound that is delivered with musical variety and passion. Their debut album POVERTY SOUL was released on June 6th and features eleven tracks shaped by blues and rock influences. Comprising brothers Hudson (vocals/guitar), Everett (drums) and Jude Felsman (lead guitar), along with Grant Baker (bass), the Canadian band seamlessly blend rock ‘n’ roll and blues sounds, which are further enhanced by the band's apparent ever-growing chemistry.
The opening track — which shares its name with the album — begins with a slow ambiance. An electric guitar trailblazes into a powerhouse hard rock sound, aligning perfectly with Hudson's strong vocal power. A declarative guitar solo at the end creates anticipation for what’s to be heard from the rest of this album.
The next song, “Wait Up” is a captivating ballad consisting of glistening guitar reverb and layered harmonies, complemented by a string ambiance. This track has a soft longing feeling that makes it one of the most emotionally charged songs on the album. The lyrics capture the ache of growing distant from someone close, creating a vulnerable reflection on change and an admission to a fear of growing apart.
“And I’m so afraid that you will say someday / That I can’t wait up for you,” Hudson sings, expressing a quiet longing.
On the other end, the immediate standout track “Fun and Games” bends into a fuzzed-out guitar tune that reverts to a gritty-blues sound. There’s a wave of energy coursing throughout the song, with an electric guitar solo clashing in, giving this track its soul-rock characteristic.
Taking us through a warm acoustic detour, “Billings Rd.” separates itself from The Fresh Bears’ notable rock sound and guides the listener to a slower, poised sound. It’s a breath between the heavier tracks that demonstrates this band's versatility while conveying the same sense of longing that lives through the lyrics, “I wouldn’t trade those days for the whole wide world / But for now I’m far from home.” The stripped-back acoustic arrangement evokes feelings of nostalgia and a recollection of the past.
Delivered as a lyrical message, “Elegy” is a direct and unfiltered message to listeners. An elegy is a poetic outcry, where the symbolism lives through the album's main theme of emotional poverty. This track directly resonates with listeners who may feel stuck in a cycle of their own self-destruction and disconnection. Strategically, this track is placed near the end of the album, offering listeners a moment of reflection.
As the last track on the album, “See You” opens with a twinkling keyboard, setting a softer and introspective tone. Hudson’s vocals climb gently at the end of each line, and the chorus leans into pop-rock sounds through a smooth and melodic electric guitar.
“When I see myself I see someone new / If I can see anyone I see you,” Hudson sings in the final verse. These lyrics reflect a change or growth in identity that is influenced through a close relationship that feels strong and authentic.
INTERVIEW
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INTERVIEW ☆
We caught up with The Fresh Bears to talk about their creative process, the nature behind their songwriting, and the story behind their band name:
CRAVE: CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR SONGWRITING PROCESS AND WHAT INSPIRED SOME OF THE LYRICS FOR THIS RECORD?
THE FRESH BEARS: Usually, lyrics happen when a phrase or sentence really hits us, and then the song expounds on that idea. Most of the inspiration comes from the idea that we all long for something greater in this present life and that we can hold onto hope that the next one will be better, even in the midst of the mundane.
CRAVE: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MAJOR CHALLENGES YOU ENCOUNTERED WHILE SELF-PRODUCING, AND WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM THE PROCESS?
THE FRESH BEARS: Some of the biggest challenges we faced stemmed from a lack of trust in each other during the writing and recording process, which was something we had to identify, be conscious of, and work on. We had to sit down and realize that we all have the best interests in these songs, and we wanted to fight for good and beautiful art that we could all stand behind. We had to trust each other, and it took some battling, but in the end, we ultimately came up with something that we all love, treasure, and believe in.
CRAVE: CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE MEANING BEHIND “ELEGY” AND ITS ROLE WITHIN THE ALBUM? POSITIONED NEAR THE END OF THE ALBUM, IT COMES ACROSS AS A POWERFUL STATEMENT PIECE.
THE FRESH BEARS: "Elegy" is essential to the Album because, historically, it's a piece of poetry or prose that isn't to be taken lightly. It can even be an ode to the dead or a lament for those who are lost or have passed away. The Album is about coming to terms with our human depravity. Before the last song, we thought it would be fitting to make a track as a lament for those who are lost or struggling in the pits of their depravity. Often, we can believe in our Western society that those in third-world countries are poor. However, we struggle with a different kind of poverty in America, a poverty of the soul. This was one last chance to reinforce the Album's theme, and it accomplishes that while pushing our message more directly.
CRAVE: WAS THERE A PARTICULAR GUITAR SOLO THAT STANDS OUT TO YOU PERSONALLY, AND WERE THOSE MOMENTS MORE IMPROVISED OR INTENTIONALLY COMPOSED?
THE FRESH BEARS: Typically, solos emerge naturally as the song begins to take shape, and we can sit with it for a little bit. The exact idea for the solo on the song "Poverty Soul" came from the demo, and it happened naturally in two takes because it has so many blues licks.
CRAVE: WHAT ARTISTS OR ALBUMS INSPIRED YOU DURING THE CREATION OF POVERTY SOUL, WHETHER MUSICALLY, LYRICALLY, OR EMOTIONALLY?
THE FRESH BEARS: We drew a lot of inspiration from the bands we grew up listening to, as well as our recent obsessions, including U2, Switchfoot, Colony House, Inhaler, The Arctic Monkeys, Kings of Leon and more.
CRAVE: DOES “THE FRESH BEARS” HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE CHICAGO BEARS—OR WHAT’S THE STORY BEHIND THE NAME?
THE FRESH BEARS: The story behind the name is funny and unassuming. However, we often get the Chicago Bears reference, especially since we frequently play in Chicago. It actually has nothing to do with the football team. Still, instead, the story goes that we had been jamming for a month or two as an unofficial band, just some buddies playing some tunes and jamming out together, when we went into the studio to record some of our songs. Our engineer that night wanted to know what to name the file with our recordings, and after throwing out some names, our bass player chimed in with "The Fresh Teddys." Thankfully, our engineer countered with "The Fresh Bears," and the rest is history. We figured that if we ever got serious, we'd change it... But here we are, 3 years and an album down the road, and still going strong!
CRAVE: IS THERE ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO MENTION ABOUT WHAT’S NEXT? WHETHER THAT’S UPCOMING LIVE SHOWS, NEW RELEASES, OR FUTURE PROJECTS?
THE FRESH BEARS: We just released our debut Album, "POVERTY SOUL," and we think everyone should listen to it! We're already working on our next project, and we have some shows in the works as well. The next one is scheduled for August 1st in our hometown of Valparaiso, IN, at Central Park for the Turkeypalooza Festival, which is special because we don't get to play in our hometown as much anymore! So come on out and hear some tunes!
POVERTY SOUL is a standout project that showcases The Fresh Bears' talents of blending a mixture of blues-driven guitar pieces and reflective lyrics. For the band releasing their first album, the production and chemistry are impressive and palpable. Each track feels expansive and new; the anticipation lies through the quietness of “Wait Up” and extends out to the energetic beats of “Fun and Games.” The originality of this album shines through in its creative variety, and with the energy that they bring, The Fresh Bears are only getting started.
Check out The Fresh Bears' debut album, POVERTY SOUL, and stay connected here:
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